falling to the bottom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falling to the bottom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something descending or decreasing to the lowest point, whether literally or metaphorically. Example: "As the stock market crashed, many investors felt their portfolios were falling to the bottom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

We've been on a roller-coaster ride, falling to the bottom and sailing to the top.

The New York Times - Sports

Stir occasionally to prevent the leaves from falling to the bottom, and do not overcook for the same reason.

The New Yorker

"I had some random idea about how the paper falling to the bottom of the glass tells you about life," he told me, adding, "All bullshit".

The New Yorker

The owner told us the whole pecans were sorted on a conveyor with the super-heavy, full-meated ones falling to the bottom, the culls on the top.

The New York Times

Linguine with mild roasted garlic (clinging nicely to the pasta, not falling to the bottom of the bowl) and chewy but flavorful cockles proved first rate.

The New York Times

Each coloured plastic ball represents a Higgs boson: collectively they provide the essential drag that stops your toddler/electron falling to the bottom of the universe, where all the snakes and hypodermic needles are".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Clunkers swiftly fall to the bottom.

The New York Times - Magazine

"My book would fall to the bottom of the pile".

The New York Times - Tech

You fall to the bottom rung of society".

The New York Times

The soil will fall to the bottom while the leek slices float on top.

The New York Times

The favored sectors of 1999, technology and telecommunications, fell to the bottom of the rankings last quarter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "falling to the bottom" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly establishes what is declining or reaching a low point. For instance, "After the scandal, the company's reputation was falling to the bottom."

Common error

Avoid using "falling to the bottom" in contexts where a simple "falling" or "at the bottom" would suffice. Overusing the full phrase can make your writing sound awkward. Prefer: "The keys fell to the bottom of the bag" instead of "The keys were falling to the bottom of the bag."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falling to the bottom" functions as a prepositional phrase often used adverbially to modify verbs, indicating direction or result. It describes the action of something descending to the lowest point, whether physically or metaphorically. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a valid and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "falling to the bottom" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a literal or figurative descent to the lowest point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and frequently used expression in English. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring the context warrants the emphasis on reaching the very bottom. Common contexts include news, science, and general writing, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employing it. When writing, consider synonyms like "plummeting to the depths" or "descending to the nadir" to add nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plummeting to the depths

Implies a rapid and dramatic fall to the lowest point.

descending to the nadir

Refers to reaching the lowest point, often in a metaphorical sense.

sinking to the lowest level

Suggests a gradual decline to a low position or state.

crashing to rock bottom

Indicates a sudden and disastrous fall to the worst possible situation.

dropping to the floor

Describes a literal fall to the ground or base.

declining to the minimum

Focuses on a reduction to the smallest possible amount or degree.

spiraling downward

Suggests a continuous and worsening decline.

hitting the low point

Highlights the moment of reaching the lowest or worst state.

reaching the depths

Indicates arriving at the lowest or most profound level.

going downhill

Describes a general decline or deterioration.

FAQs

How can I use "falling to the bottom" in a sentence?

The phrase "falling to the bottom" can describe a literal descent, like "The sediment was falling to the bottom of the glass", or a metaphorical decline, such as "The team's ranking was falling to the bottom of the league".

What phrases are similar to "falling to the bottom"?

Similar phrases include "plummeting to the depths", "descending to the nadir", or "sinking to the lowest level", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it ever incorrect to use "falling to the bottom"?

While grammatically correct, "falling to the bottom" may be unnecessarily verbose in some contexts. Consider whether simply using "falling" or "at the bottom" would be more concise and effective. It is always better to use the right term depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone says something is "falling to the bottom"?

It typically means something is declining in status, value, or position, reaching its lowest point. The phrase can also describe the physical movement of an object downwards within a container or space.